Catholic spiritual life

An 809 Word Interview with Daniel Markham

/ chicoinematt / 1 Comment

Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Daniel Markham via phone call on April 9th, 2025. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.

What inspired you to embark on this journey to attend Mass in all 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico?

Version 1.0.0

In 2016, I just dropped off my son to high school soccer practice and I was reminded of a parish and this idea came over me about visiting various parishes across the country. I realized this idea wasn’t from me but it was something I was called to do. 

In 2018-2019 I sent letters to all the bishops and archbishops and got permission from my parish. During a span of six months I emailed all the parishes that I had email addresses from. 

I started receiving invitations from various churches and I was getting phone calls from various churches and this was when the idea for the book really came into focus. I aimed to start this in January 2021 but due to the Covid Pandemic I wasn’t able to really begin until June 2021. I travelled where I was able to attend. For example, I was in Nebraska writing about a Native American Mission and attended Mass at a school because it made sense in terms of the story I was telling. For most of the Masses it was on a Sunday. 

Of all the parishes you visited, which one surprised you the most or left the deepest impression on you?

Great question! It was actually three: 

Cottonwood, Idaho (Assumption, Ferdinand; Saint Mary’s, Cottonwood; Saint Anthony, Greencreek)- this state is predominantly Mormon but Idaho County is the one exception where it’s mainly Catholic. The only monastery in the state is just outside of Cottonwood: Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of Gertrude. The thing that stood out to me was that I wasn’t expecting this beauty and wonderful Catholic community. I fell in love with the people there! They actually added parishioners coming out of Covid.

How did witnessing so many different expressions of the same faith change your own relationship with Catholicism?

My faith grew without question. If I could go to multiple Masses on a Sunday I tried. Normally, I would hear one homily a week. One particular week, I heard three homilies. Each priest took a different, but equally valid, approach to the reading. These experiences highlighted how rich our Catholic faith is and how we can find so much richness in the Scriptures. 

I had experiences that I could see as being negative. There was a weekend I had to stay in a bad motel room, but it reminded me (through a homily that weekend) that in every experience we are blessed. Even in the suffering. The closer one comes to God the greater the understanding that there is blessing in everything we experience here on Earth. An incredible sense of peace occurred and I feel different sharing the Eucharist multiple times a week and in different parishes. 

I could drive 15 to 16 hours at a time, and I realized it was the power of the Eucharist that sustained me. When I got tired it was when I allowed my worries and the human desires to creep in. But when I had that faith and trust in God I was truly fueled during my travels. 

What common thread did you notice among the most vibrant Catholic communities you encountered?

Wow! That’s a good question. I guess those places where the greater understanding of the Real Presence in the Eucharist existed was the most unifying aspect. It made for the most authentically Catholic communities. Mass is the foundation of our life and the Eucharist is the foundation of the Mass.

After visiting such diverse Catholic communities, what do you think most American Catholics misunderstand about the broader Church in our country?

I think for most Catholics they don’t think much beyond their own parish. For people more engaged there might be a sense of disagreement; maybe some people are more conservative or liberal. I think what we miss in this is that there’s so much more that unites us than divides us. We say the same Creed each week. What we say we believe in the Creed unites us and are more important than what happens in the various differences at the Mass. Some Masses are said in Latin and some in the vernacular. The Eucharist is the same. There’s vastly more that unites us than that divides us. 

If readers take just one message from “52 Masses,” what would you hope that message would be?

All of these people I visited had something in common. They answered the call from Christ. Don’t say no to God! 

Where can my readers find your work? 

www.52Masses.com

About Daniel:

Daniel Markham is the author of 52 Masses, which chronicles his 2021-22 trip to all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to experience Catholicism in America. At each parish he visited, Daniel wrote about someone or something taking place there – a ministry, an effort at evangelization, an individual’s story, etc. He attended Mass in parishes of all sizes, in rural, urban and suburban settings and a few places that weren’t parishes at all. The idea was to explore the many ways Catholics are living the faith in the United States. His book was published at the end of 2022. Daniel and his wife Kemberly, a Catholic school principal, reside in West Chester, Ohio, where they are members of St. John the Evangelist Church. They have three adult children, Ian, Kiera and Cormac.

Thank you for sharing!

A 1045 Word Interview with the Carmelite Homemaker

/ chicoinematt

Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Cecelia Allen via phone call on March 26th, 2025. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.

You spent nearly a year in a Carmelite monastery before discerning a different path. Can you share more about that spiritual journey and how you recognized God’s call shifting in your life?

I started discerning religious life when I was little. I first wrote to the monastery when I was 14. Because they were cloistered I couldn’t visit, but when I was 16 I was able to stay in their guest room. I entered the monastery when I was 19 and felt a tug towards throughout High school. Eight months after I entered, I started feeling a tug towards some type of ministry, a more active service or retreat ministry. At first I thought this was another phase in the adjustment of contemplative life. I continued to feel this draw towards more active ministry. I really struggled to leave because I loved all aspects of that. I was given this advice by a priest, “to discern where you find peace.” When I left the monastery I felt peace but I still miss it. 

When I left that cloistered community I was thinking of joining another religious community. I realized that such women’s communities were either cloistered or very active in teaching 8 hours a day. 

I learned through the call to marriage that I could make my home a cloister, a type of miniature contemplative community. 

What was the most profound lesson you learned during your time in the monastery that continues to shape your life today?

Living the liturgical year. Being at the monastery when you are praying to the Divine Office your whole existence is centered on the liturgy. While I have been Catholic my whole life and received great catechesis, when I was at the monastery, it felt like it was my first Christmas as a Catholic. This was because Advent was such a profound time to prepare for Christ’s birth. It felt like Heavenly time where earthly time stopped and we entered more deeply into the life of Christ. 

You describe carrying “the little cloister” in your heart. How do you practically integrate Carmelite spirituality into your daily life as a homemaker? Are there specific practices, prayers, or rhythms you’ve adopted from monastic life?

I prioritize the Divine Office in my prayer life. I love the whole thing, but one hour I prioritize as a family is Night Prayer. Personally, I do enjoy Morning Prayer. 

St. Therese of Lisieux, a Carmelite saint, is known for her “little way” of finding holiness in ordinary moments. How do you see this spirituality manifesting in your role as a wife and homemaker? Could you share an example of how you’ve found extraordinary grace in seemingly mundane tasks?

Actually, it has been so amazing to study Carmelites from the perspective of a wife and mother. The more I study this spirituality, the more I realize it is applicable to our life in the world. Living in the presence of God undergirds all the Carmelite spirituality. I have been so encouraged by reading Teresa of Avila’s writings, The Way of Perfection, for everyone! This contemplative living is accessible for everyone. 

Carmelite spirituality emphasizes contemplation and interior life. In the midst of the busy responsibilities of home and marriage, how do you maintain a deep prayer life and sense of interior stillness?

That’s a good question, it’s definitely a work in progress. I have learned that in terms of maintaining a strong payer life it is not going to look like the days before. The other day I prayed the Divine Office but I was pacing up and down the hallway with my baby on my shoulder. Having that communication with your spouse to have them watch the kids while you pray is something I am working on. The big thing is accepting that prayer life isn’t the same as before marriage. 

For interior silence, I have Gregorian chant in the background playing. I used to think that silence, no background noise, was the way to draw into that interior silence. But I found that my mind wandered. When I have the chant playing in the background I am more drawn to focus on the silence. 

Your husband encouraged you to bring your Carmelite experience into your marriage. How has this unique spiritual background influenced your relationship?

I think it’s allowed me to see how a lot of people see religious life as the ultimate sacrifice. But having come from that religious life perspective I have become more aware of how marriage is also a vocation and a gift of yourself. The gift of totality in my marriage is something I learned, or became more aware of, due to my experience in the monastery. It’s that awareness our vocation (no matter which one you’re called to) is meant to stretch you to make you holy. 

Many young Catholics struggle with understanding their vocation. Having experienced both religious and married life, what wisdom can you share about discernment and listening to God’s call?

The biggest thing is to what the priest told me, “follow your peace.” If you are feeling a consistent tug towards religious life don’t be afraid to take action to pursue it. The postulant period (about the first year) is that time of discernment. Don’t be afraid to take the next step in discernment and don’t be afraid to discern out.

I realize that there’s two different tugs to marriage: the natural and the draw that’s indicative towards a vocation. And to ask God to help me discern the difference between the two. 

Who is your favorite Carmelite saint and why?

My favorite is Elizabeth of the Trinity because of her writings on living in the presence of God. Her main focus is the indwelling of the Trinity in our souls due to our Baptism and living in that presence always. I found this so accessible as a wife and mother. 

I also enjoy the work of John of the Cross and Terese of the Andes. Teresa of Avila and Therese of Lisieux would round out the top five (please don’t be mad at me!)

Where can my followers learn more about your ministry? 

I have a YouTube channel, Instagram profile and I have a blog. Links to these can be found at: Carmelite Homemaker.

About Cecelia: 

After discerning religious life in my high school years, I entered a Carmelite monastery when I was 19 years old. A year later, I discerned out, feeling called from the solitude of Carmel to some form of ministry. 

I am now a wife and mother, but my love for the monastery remains a deep part of who I am. I have made it my mission to bring the beauty of monastic life into my life in the world, and help others do the same.

Thank you for sharing!

Holy Saturday: The Sacred Stillness Between Death and Resurrection

/ chicoinematt

Honestly, I really didn’t think too much about Holy Saturday growing up. It seems to be like the “forgotten” or the “third-wheel” day of the Holy Triduum. The stillness and silence that marks this day stands in stark contrast to the activity of the events that occurred earlier in Holy Week.

On Palm Sunday we celebrate the entry of Jesus in Jerusalem as King (plus we got to make cool palm crosses or make “leaf-sabers”). Holy Thursday had a lot going on with the priest washing the feet of (usually) 12 men from the parish. This year my parish had the presentation of the sacred oils (sick, catechumens, and chrism).

And Good Friday draws us directly into the Passion and Death of Jesus. The Gospel had the congregation echo the words of the jeering crowds in Jerusalem, 33 A.D. One of my favorite practices in Holy Week is the Veneration of the Cross. And the Solemn Intercessions is a beautiful way for the Church to pray for all and unite them to Jesus.

Anticipation and Waiting

I asked my youngest daughter why she is excited for Easter. She exclaimed, “Because the Easter Bunny will visit us!” My older daughter chimed in, “And Jesus rises from the dead!” The theme is anticipation. We get excited when we are looking forward to something. Waiting is the difficult part. And waiting patiently is even more difficult.

Something I have been trying to work on in my spiritual life is to find the joy in the waiting. During daily Mass this Tuesday, the priest said something interesting. He said, “Enjoy the Cross this week!” Behold the wood of the Cross. It’s a common phrase in Holy Week. Yet, there’s something between the Cross and the Resurrection. Silence. Defeat. Stillness. Jesus in the grave.

Hope but not yet. That’s what Holy Saturday is. Attending the Tenebrae Service at my parish helped me deepen my understanding of the final day of the Holy Triduum. Holy Saturday is when hope dies, but in the moment of transformation. And that’s how we are often transformed as Christians. In the immediate aftermath of the suffering, or our “Good Friday”.

The Great Silence

Holy Saturday is a day of great silence and stillness, as the whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that on this day the Church contemplates Christ’s descent into hell to free the captives (CCC 635).

The Church re-reads and re-lives the great events of salvation history in the “today” of her liturgy, especially during the Easter Vigil. In Scripture, we see this mystery hinted at in 1 Peter 3:19, where Christ “went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison.”

Holy Saturday belongs to the Paschal mystery. This mystery encompasses Christ’s Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Through these events, He conquered death and gave us new life. In contemplative prayer today, we dwell in faith’s darkness. We journey through the agony and tomb. Our prayer reflects the profound moments of Jesus’ Hour.

How the Church Teaches Us

One of the most profound texts for Holy Saturday comes from an ancient homily preserved in the Church’s Office of Readings. This homily speaks of Christ’s descent into hell to seek out Adam, our first parent, as a lost sheep. Christ approaches Adam bearing the cross, the weapon of victory. He commands all enslaved by death to come forth from darkness and arise from their sleep.

In this beautiful meditation, Jesus identifies Himself as the God who became man’s son out of love, who “took the form of a slave and descended from heaven to earth” (Philippians 2:7).

The homilist portrays Christ pointing to the wounds He received: the spittle, the blows, the scourging, and the nails, all endured to restore humanity. Christ emphasizes that His sleep on the cross will rouse Adam from his sleep in hell, and the sword that pierced His side has sheathed the sword turned against Adam in Eden.

Most powerfully, Christ promises not just a restoration to earthly paradise but enthronement in heaven, where cherubim will worship man as God, and the kingdom of heaven awaits, prepared from all eternity.

In this ancient homily, we find the key to understanding Holy Saturday. It is not merely empty waiting. It is the moment when salvation reached into the depths of death itself. In the silence of the tomb, the Word was still speaking, bringing light into darkness.

An Ancient Homily on Holy Saturday

The Lord descends into hell

Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

Adam, the First Lost Sheep

He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.

Jesus Saves

For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

The New Man

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.”

Holy Saturday’s Invitation

Jesus descends to hell Holy Saturday

The ancient homily of Holy Saturday invites us into one of the most profound mysteries of our faith. Good Friday shows us sacrifice. Easter Sunday reveals glory. Holy Saturday teaches us about transformation in darkness. It shows how God works even when we cannot see Him.

In my own life, the “Holy Saturday moments” have often been the hardest to embrace. Those periods of waiting, of uncertainty, when hope feels dim but hasn’t completely vanished. Yet these are precisely the times when God may be doing His deepest work within us.

As we enter into the silence of Holy Saturday, let us not rush too quickly to Easter morning. Let us keep vigil with Christ in the tomb today. Let us contemplate how He descended into the depths to find us. He bears His wounds as the price of our redemption. Remember this truth in your darkest moments: the King is not absent. He works in the silence. He heals in the darkness. He prepares us for resurrection even now.

The Catechism reminds us that in the Easter Vigil, “the Church awaits the Lord’s resurrection and celebrates it in the sacraments” (CCC 1217). Tonight, as candles pierce the darkness and water flows once more, may we recognize that Holy Saturday isn’t just about waiting – it’s about transformation at the deepest level of our being.

When we feel stuck in our own Holy Saturday experiences, may we remember Christ’s promise to Adam and to us: “Rise, let us leave this place.” The tomb is never the final word.

Related Links

Review on Christ’s Descent into Hell: Theology of Holy Saturday

The significance of Good Friday

Holy Saturday with Mother Mary

Thank you for sharing!

Pilgrims of Faith: A Catholic Journey Homeward

/ chicoinematt

Sponsored: This article is made possible by Follow My Camino, supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.

Growing up in a Catholic household, I learned early that life is just play, work, sleep and repeat. It is a sacred pilgrimage. My parents instilled this by showing us how the Mass is a gift. The rosary beads that adorned my grandmother’s hands, the statues of saints watching over our home, the rhythmic cycle of the liturgical year, spoke of a journey far deeper than mere physical movement. All these incarnational moments hinted at a deeper reality.

Called to Pilgrimage

The Catholic understanding of life as a pilgrimage is rooted in our most fundamental beliefs. We are not simply inhabitants of this world, but travelers passing through, with our true citizenship in heaven. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “Pilgrimages evoke our earthly journey toward heaven and are traditionally very special occasions for renewal in prayer” (CCC 2691).

This isn’t just a metaphorical concept. The rich tradition of Catholic pilgrimages, from the Camino de Santiago to the holy sites of Rome, from Lourdes to Fatima, testifies to our understanding that physical journeys can be profound spiritual experiences. Follow My Camino captures this essence beautifully, reminding pilgrims that the Way of St. James is more than a trip. It is a path of spiritual wonderment. Each step becomes a prayer, each mile a meditation, each encounter an opportunity to receive God’s grace anew.

Sacraments: Rest Stops on Our Journey

In my own spiritual life, I’ve come to see the sacraments as divine rest stops. They are theological waypoints that sustain us on our pilgrimage. Just as a weary traveler finds renewal at a roadside sanctuary, we Catholics find strength in the sacramental life of the Church.

Confession becomes a moment of realignment, washing away the dust and dirt of our journey. The Eucharist is our spiritual food, nourishing us for the road ahead. Matrimony and Holy Orders are vocational paths that shape our pilgrimage, giving purpose to our travels.

The Communion of Saints: Our Fellow Travelers

We are never alone on this journey. The communion of saints, those already home in heaven and those still traveling, surrounds us with support and intercession. As the Catechism tells us, “In prayer, the pilgrim Church is associated with that of the saints, whose intercession she asks” (CCC 2692).

Our Lady, the ultimate pilgrim who journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem, from Egypt to Cana, from the foot of the Cross to the Upper Room, leads the way. The saints, from St. James to St. Thérèse, are our companions, our guides, our inspiration.

Creating Sacred Spaces

Pilgrimages aren’t reserved for grand journeys. The Catechism suggests creating sacred spaces even within our homes, a “prayer corner” with Sacred Scriptures and icons. In my own home, a small altar serves as a constant reminder of our spiritual journey, a miniature sanctuary where family prayers rise like incense.

The scallop shell, a profound symbol for any pilgrim on the Camino, speaks volumes about our spiritual journey. Follow My Camino reminds us that this isn’t just a simple maritime emblem, but a spiritual sign. It marks not just a physical path, but our deeper walk with Christ, a constant invitation to reflect on the sacred journey of faith.

The Deeper Meaning

As Thomas Merton beautifully expressed, “The geographical pilgrimage is the symbolic acting out of an inner journey.” For Catholics, this means our entire life is a pilgrimage toward God. Pope Francis captures this perfectly: “Each person carries within his or her heart a special wish and a particular prayer.”

Our Catholic faith teaches us that this journey is not about the destination alone, but about transformation. Each Mass, each prayer, each act of mercy is a step on our path. We are constantly being formed, constantly becoming more Christ-like.

A Call to the Faithful

To my fellow Catholics, I invite you to embrace your life as a pilgrimage. Approach each day with the reverence of a pilgrim, attentive to God’s grace, open to His transformative power. Your daily challenges, your joys, your sorrows all are part of your sacred journey.

Utilize the rich traditions of our faith. Pray the rosary. Attend daily Mass. Seek out the sacraments. Venerate the saints. These are not mere religious practices, but fuel for your spiritual journey. For those feeling called to walk the ancient paths, the team at Follow My Camino understands that the Camino de Santiago is more than a trek. It is a profound spiritual odyssey that can deepen, and maybe even reshape, your entire understanding of our faith. With their deep zeal for Catholicism and expertise in this specific pilgrimage, you will experience the Camino in a truly Catholic way, steeped in the faith and traditions that have guided pilgrims for centuries.

Our Heavenly Destination

Ultimately, our pilgrimage is about returning home, to God, to the ultimate communion of saints, to the eternal liturgy of heaven. St. Augustine’s words ring true: “Our hearts are restless, until they rest in you [God].”

Walk on, fellow pilgrim. Your journey continues, blessed by the grace of Christ, guided by the Church, sustained by the sacraments.

Prayer to Saint James the Apostle

O glorious Apostle, Saint James, who by reason of thy fervent and generous heart was chosen by Jesus to be witness of His glory on Mount Tabor, and of His agony in Gethsemane; thou, whose very name is a symbol of warfare and victory:obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending warfare of this life, that, having constantly and generously followed Jesus, we may be victors in the strife and deserve to receive the victor’s crown in heaven. Amen.

Thank you to today’s sponsor! Discover more by visiting Follow My Camino today.

Thank you for sharing!

A 1296 Word Interview with Jose Pulido

/ chicoinematt

Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Jose Pulido via phone call on March 7th and 14th, 2025. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.

Your personal journey from being a “staunch, articulate atheist” to Catholic evangelist is fascinating. Could you share more about that mystical encounter with the Holy Family that changed your life?

Absolutely, it was December 24, 2011. Christmas Eve The Gothic Cathedral in Barcelona, Spain. In my Colombian tradition, it was tough to celebrate together with my family. My sister and mother were back home. My brother and father were with me in Spain but decided not to come to Mass. I was wandering the city and was talking to the poor and offered them prayers since I didn’t have money on me. I heard the Mass bells ringing and I entered the church and started making my way to the front. Looking back on this experience, it was an exercise of spiritual poverty and grace. I thought I was going to be with my family during Christmas Eve Mass. The Spanish used at Mass was a different dialect (Cataline) that I wasn’t used to speaking so I only understood every tenth word. This wasn’t what I wanted at that moment because I felt down and like I failed. 

Very clearly I heard the voice of Satan. He was gloating about how he separated my family and that I lost and that I would never have a whole family. 

I oriented my heart toward the Lord during this time to help from not having a breakdown. During this time, the Blessed Virgin Mary spoke to me telling me that I have always been part of the Holy Family and that I alway had the perfect family. This experience happened to me while I was still in Mass. During the collection, I had two coins and Satan came back telling me that I didn’t have the right offering and was a sinner. How could I be a member of the perfect family if I was imperfect? I felt this weight again and went back to the Lord. I felt consolation from Mary and Joseph. 

They again encouraged me that I have an inheritance and have the right to ask for the graces. 

This was a pretty emotional experience, I had tears and snot, I was not attractive at the moment. Again, Satan tempted me telling me that while the Holy Family might accept me that the Church wouldn’t. I felt crushed again. 

I again felt Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in my heart encourage me to give this Church a chance. During the sign of Peace, there was a lady who still gave me the sign of peace despite my appearance. So Satan went away.

The next message I was sent was that Jesus was present in the Eucharist. On the way back to the hotel, I received the fifth message, I was coming down with traveler’s sickness. The person who was taking care of me was my dad. I came to this realization that in order for me to experience the love of Saint Joseph and Mary that you need to go to your parents. Some people think the Holy Family is a replacement for your family and parents. And maybe that is in extraordinary circumstances like Saint John Paul II, but in most ordinary cases you need to love your parents to find the love of the Holy Family. 

Holy Family

In your book, you mention combining Sacred Tradition with modern behavioral science. How do these two seemingly different approaches work together to create effective evangelization methods?

Many Catholics feel intimidated or unprepared when it comes to sharing their faith.

What’s one common misconception about evangelization that you’d like to dispel?

That evangelization has to be awful or a fight. Evangelization can be joyful and loving! There’s no contradiction between joyfulness and truth. 

You’ve taught thousands of people through workshops across North America. What’s the most surprising transformation you’ve witnessed in someone applying your evangelization techniques?

The most surprising thing is the upside up transformation. Adult children go from not wanting to go to Mass to now volunteering with their mom with local religious orders. 

I was coaching this mom and she and her daughter were yelling at each other about the faith. After one coaching session and three weeks later, they were going to Mass and hugging each other. 

When you approach it with a craftsmanship of love. For example, grandma’s cookies aren’t great because she is perfect, it is because she has developed her craft of baking over decades. And that is how my work has been effective, not because I’m perfect but because I took the time to learn this craft with love. 

And we have this language used by the Holy Family, found in Scripture. It feels good to evangelize, it’s kind of controversial to say, but it should feel good to evangelize our faith. It is the work of the Holy Spirit! 

We always talk about the evangelizee, but never the evangelizer. This book is about how parties thrive. We have to love ourselves (not just the person we are evangelizing or just ourselves). It is both/and.

Your background includes Ivy League education and corporate experience. How has your secular professional background influenced your approach to Catholic evangelization?

Mass is not boring
Mass is unboring…bring your coworker to daily Mass this month!

Immensely! In two ways. The first way it really opened my eyes to ways of what was possible with evangelization. Routinely, I would bring my colleagues to daily Mass. 

The second ways was uncovering the means to accomplish this good. I had various companies talking about religion during the lunch hour. It wasn’t because I was unique, it was because I really wanted to evangelize and I developed this craft. Anybody can learn this. The craft is to dream like Joseph, talk like Mary, and to make all things new like Jesus. We all have an inheritance to claim those things. We must be our shoulder to the wheel. The doctor must read the Scripture to found how faith and reason interact. The accountant must read Scripture and attend Mass to see how faith and reason interact. Like one of the core principles for the Marines which is “Every Marine,  a rifleman”, in the Catholic space it should be similar: “Every Catholic, an evangelist.” Just like how the Marines are successful with great training, so too Catholics in order to be successful need great training.

In developing the craft in my classes it is always about how to apply this to sharing the faith. 

You mention teaching people to “dream like Saint Joseph” and “speak like Our Lady.” Could you explain what these spiritual practices look like in everyday conversations with non-believers?

To dream like Joseph you have to see everything and everyone (including yourself) as God sees. 

To speak like Mary you have to be willing to express yourself regarding the faith. You have to be willing to talk about your personal connection to the faith. 

For Catholics who feel they’ve tried everything to reach loved ones who have left the faith, what hope or fresh perspective does your approach offer them?

Pray hope don't worry Padre Pio

Great evangelization should be life giving for the evangelist, at least a lot of the time. The Lord says the summary of faith is to love God with all your heart and love others as yourself. 

It is necessary to love others as yourself. The gift of love must go both ways. In order to love others as yourself we must first love ourselves. When the Lord looks at the Rich Young Man in the Gospel of Mark, it says that the Lord looked at him and loved him. If the Lord looks at us and loves us, then when we look in the mirror at ourselves should we not also love ourselves? 

Where is the best place for my audience to learn more about you? 

On Instagram at @share.faith.now

About Jose:

Jose M. Pulido draws from 15+ years of experience evangelizing in various secular settings to inspire and equip others to share Christ.

His experience includes evangelizing at universities, Fortune 500 companies, and various non-profits (in the US, Latin America, and Asia).

He’s also advised numerous organizations and parishes on evangelization and catechesis through staff trainings, public workshops, & retreats. He started evangelizing for the Lord at George Washington University’s Newman Center, where he was the first disciple of FOCUS when they joined the campus. He’s worked with Georgetown University on Young Adult Latino Ministry, having founded Catholic Latino Leadership Initiative, while working as a young adult in Washington, DC. He is a spokesman for The Mary Foundation – A non-profit dedicated to the distribution of sacramentals and evangelization materials (www.catholicity.com). He has appeared on ESNE TV, doing a three-part series on Evangelization for the segment Mujeres De Encuentro. He is also a Senior Advisor at Omnia Catholic, a social media ministry aimed at supporting young adult ministries. Jose Pulido is a member of the Catholic Speakers Organization. This is the leading resource for faith-based speakers. He is a frequent presenter on the University Series in Ventura County, a series aimed at supporting faith formation for adult Catholics. He is also a member of Fruitful Futures Project, a non-profit dedicated to helping others find fruitfulness in their callings. He is part of the leadership team for That Man Is You (TMIY) at his parish.  

​He has a Masters from Yale University and a Bachelors from George Washington University. He speaks English, Spanish, Japanese, and is hilarious in Korean & Tagalog.

​He is most relaxed when reading Sacred Scripture, doing origami, going for a nice walk, or showing others how to engage in life-giving evangelization.  

Thank you for sharing!

The Power of the Eucharist: Together and in Silence

/ chicoinematt

Processing with the Lord

The sun beat down on the street. I walked alongside hundreds of others, following the golden monstrance that caught the light in brilliant flashes. A canopy of white silk moved ahead of us, sheltering the Blessed Sacrament.

Incense rose in visible waves, mingling with the summer air. The priest’s vestments gleamed white and gold. Children scattered flower petals on the pavement. An elderly man beside me sang the Pange Lingua with a voice that trembled but did not waver.

The procession stretched for blocks. People watched from windows and sidewalks. Some knelt as we passed. Others stared, confused. A few snapped photos with their phones.

“What’s happening?” a woman asked her companion.

“Some kind of Catholic thing,” he replied, watching us wind through the streets.

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. My knees ached from the concrete.

“The Eucharist is not merely symbolic, but a profound reality where we encounter Jesus Himself,” the priest had said before we began. “Today, we process with Him through our streets as a public testimony of our faith.”

The bells rang out, marking our progress through the neighborhood. Someone handed me a Holy card. The procession paused at a makeshift altar on the Church steps. People knelt on the hard pavement.

A Public Witness

I closed my eyes in the bright sunlight.

“We aren’t just walking,” a young mother had told her confused child. “We’re following Jesus.”

The child had nodded solemnly, clutching a small paper banner.

Three days later, I sat alone in the parish adoration chapel. The same monstrance stood on the altar, but without the canopy, without the crowd.

The wooden kneeler creaked under my weight. My breath sounded loud in the silence. A clock ticked somewhere behind me. The single candle flame didn’t waver.

An air conditioner hummed briefly, then quieted. For twenty minutes, nothing moved except the slight rise and fall of my chest.

I checked my watch.

St. Mother Teresa once said, “When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.”

Now. Present tense.

My mind wandered to Sunday’s grocery list. I pulled it back.

The silence grew heavier. More substantial. The golden rays of the monstrance caught the light once, then didn’t again. My knees hurt in a different way than they had during the procession.

The Chapel’s Stillness

Photo courtesy of Damian Chlanda. See more of his photography at coffeewithdamian.com

I shifted on the kneeler.

During Sunday’s procession, the priest had proclaimed, “Christ goes out to meet His people!” His voice had carried over the crowd, amplified by speakers. Here, in the chapel, no voice spoke. The same Christ waited, but in silence.

Saint Alphonsus Liguori wrote, “Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us.”

My breathing slowed.

During the procession, we had moved through space, covering blocks of the city. Here, in adoration, I moved through something else. Not faster or slower—different.

The digital clock on the wall blinked silently: 3:47 PM.

“Know that I am with you always, until the end of the age,” Christ had promised. In the procession, we had demonstrated this truth publicly. Here, in this empty chapel, I experienced it privately.

I closed my eyes, then opened them.

The Host remained unchanged, white against gold. Minutes stretched. A car passed outside, then nothing.

Pope Benedict XVI once emphasized, “In the Eucharist, Christ is always coming to meet us.” During Sunday’s procession, we had walked with Him through the streets. Here, in adoration, He walked through the landscape of my thoughts.

Two Encounters, One Presence

Photo courtesy of Damian Chlanda.

The chair beneath me felt hard after forty minutes.

In the procession, we had been many voices, many steps, moving as one body. Here, I was one voice, silent. One body, still.

I bowed my head.

The same Christ was present in both spaces—under the silken canopy surrounded by hundreds, and here, in an empty chapel on a Wednesday afternoon. The miracle didn’t change. Only the context.

I looked up at the monstrance.

“It is you who have come to me,” a line from St. Elizabeth of the Trinity surfaced in my memory. “I didn’t go looking for you.”

The chapel door opened. A woman entered quietly, genuflected, and took a seat in the back row.

During the procession, our public witness had been powerful—Catholics united, moving through the secular world with our Eucharistic Lord. Here, two strangers sat in silence, united by the same Presence.

I stood to leave.

The mystery remained intact. The same God who had processed through streets now waited in stillness. The same Jesus who had drawn crowds now drew individual hearts, one by one.

I genuflected before the monstrance.

In the procession, we had shown the world our Faith. In Adoration, our Faith showed us the world as it truly was—a place where God waits, where time changes, where silence speaks.

I opened the chapel door.

The woman remained kneeling, her head bowed. The candle flame flickered once, then steadied.

I stepped outside. The chapel door closed behind me with a soft click.

Additional Writings about Eucharistic Adoration

Eucharistic Adoration: He Waits for You in the Silence

7 Reasons You Should Go to Eucharistic Adoration

Reflections on the National Eucharistic Congress: Faith, Healing, and Revival

Thank you for sharing!

An 845 Word Interview with Cameron the Catholic

/ chicoinematt

Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Cameron Riecker via phone call on February 17th, 2025. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.

How did you get involved in Catholic apologetics? 

Well, I supposed initially it started when I was dating a Protestant girl in college. We started talking about our future. Through that relationship and a real occasion to study (through Augustine’s work and other Church teachings). After that relationship ended with the girl, I developed a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I went into seminary in 2018 (eventually discerned out) and I am married now with two children. During these experiences I learned I had a knack for theology and explaining the faith to others. 

Much of modern Catholic apologetics focuses on defending the faith against secular critiques. How do you balance addressing contemporary challenges while staying rooted in the Church’s traditional apologetic approaches from figures like Augustine and Aquinas?

It’s just an application of the same knowledge to different situations. The Church has already answered most of these questions. It’s a matter of presenting these questions and defenses of the faith in a way modern readers can understand but the main aspects of the answers are the same. 

Your channel covers both theological depth and accessibility for seekers. Could you share how you approach making complex Catholic doctrines understandable without oversimplifying their richness?

You proceed to the unknown through the known. The knowledge of principles allows you to proceed to unknown conclusions. In order to be a good teacher you need to know what your students already know and where you want to guide them.

I think God has been able to give me the ability to use analogies to help teach the faith. In order for people to get the concept at a basic level I think these stories and analogies are helpful. 

What has been the most surprising or transformative insight you’ve gained through your work in Catholic apologetics, from studying the tradition? 

I think one of the more profound insights I got from studying Saint Thomas Aquinas is the imminent proximity that God exists. This notion that anything good I do or anything someone else does is that it is because of God. All that is evil comes from creatures. All that is good comes from God. Isaiah 26:12 refers to this. God is sustaining our being all the time. Having my eyes opened to this changed things for me.

Engaging with people’s questions/comments?

People are really fascinated with the Blessed Virgin Mary for good or ill. It is the most common objection related to this subject. The Devil realizes that at this point in human history Jesus has given a lot of influence to Mary. Satan can see the spiritual battlescape and he knows that once people receive Mary they are out of his grasp. 

Many young Catholics today struggle with questions about faith and science. Which resources or approaches have you found most effective in demonstrating the harmony between Catholic teaching and scientific understanding?

I taught senior physics from 2020-2024. Studying physics is studying God’s creation. There is nothing for authentic religion to be concerned about science. The main principle is that God is the author of creation and the Scriptures go hand-in-hand. 

When engaging with people from other faith traditions or non-believers, what do you find is the most commonly misunderstood aspect of Catholic teaching, and how do you address it?

It’s always Mary. I address that a little bit and why. The main distinction that Protestants struggle with is that you can venerate a saint without worshiping them. Not fully understanding the classical distinction between latria, hyperdulia, and dulia.

Your channel aims to serve both lifelong Catholics and seekers. Could you share a particular moment or conversation that exemplifies why you believe apologetics remains vital for the Church today?

Once again going back to the Mary thing, recommending the Rosary has been fruitful in my work. Saint Louis de Montfort said in his book True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, “Mary has produced, together with the Holy Ghost, the greatest thing which has been or ever will be— a God-Man; and she will consequently produce the greatest saints that there will be in the end of time.”

Looking ahead, what do you see as the most pressing challenges facing Catholic apologetics in the next decade, and how can we best prepare to address them?

I think sexual ethics is coming down the pipe. Additionally, the role of the Pope internationally. Many people have lived their life without knowing who the Pope is even now in the 21st century. We respond to this by making distinctions and defending the same faith the Church has taught for 2000 years and pray. That’s it! 

About Cameron:

Cameron Riecker is a Catholic apologist, life coach, and speaker who lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and two kids. 

When he’s not working, he enjoys basketball, weightlifting, and going on hikes with his family.

Thank you for sharing!